Driving roll

ABSTRACT

The invention pertains to a driving roll for a roller way or conveyor belt in which at least one roller base ( 102 ) is provided with a universal coupling device ( 106, 114 ), modular drive wheels ( 104 ) corresponding to the coupling device ( 106, 114 ) are formed and a variable number of drive wheels ( 104 ) can mesh with the coupling device ( 106, 114 ) (FIG.  1 ).

The invention pertains to a driving roll and specifically a driving rollor a driven roll for use in a roller conveyor or as a driven carryingroll for a belt conveyor.

Driving rolls such as those employed in roller conveyors or as carryingrolls in belt conveyors conventionally consist of a cylindrical rollerbody, which its terminated at both ends by a roller base. The rollerbases contain the bearings for the seating of the driving rolls on aroller axis. In a driving roll or one driven roll, a roller base isgenerally designed as a driving member by means of which a driving forceis transferred to the roll. Depending on their purpose, the drivingrolls can be driven over belts, especially cogged belts or chains. Inthis case, depending on the selected driving means the driving membermust be designed as a chain wheel or a toothed wheel for a cogged belt.

In addition, various possibilities are available to drive a multitude ofdriving rolls arranged in series. On the one hand, the possibility isavailable to drive all driving rolls tangentially over a continuouscogged belt or a continuous chain. On the other hand, the possibility ofa drive from roller to roller is also possible. In the case of a drivefrom roller to roller, two rollers each are connected with each othervia a cogged belt or a chain. This means that the driving members mustinclude two chains or toothed wheels, one for the connection with thepreceding roll and one for connection with the following roll.

These different driving possibilities imply a multitude of differentdesign shapes of the driving members. For example, the driving membersfor the tangential drive using cogged belts must include a toothedwheel, for tangential drive using a chain, a chain wheel, for the driveusing cogged belts from roll to roll two toothed wheels each and for thedrive using a chain from roll to roll two chain wheels each. These fourpossibilities alone include four different driving members. Othervariation possibilities of the driving members may result from differenttypes of bearings.

Because of the multitude of differently designed driving members, theknown driving rolls imply high manufacturing and warehousing costs forthe availability of individual parts. In addition, the availability ofreplacement parts is problematic, since all types of driving membersmust be kept in storage to ensure availability of replacement parts.

The purpose of this invention is to create an improved driving roll,which because of its simplified design allows interaction with numerousdifferent types of drives.

This task is resolved by means of a driving roll with thecharacteristics indicated in Claim 1. The subclaims present advantageousdesign forms.

The universal coupling device of the drive roll according to theinvention permits the variable installation of different drive wheels,without such implying changes of modifications to the roller base. Alldrive wheels have a standardized design such that they can be optionallyconnected with the driving roll. This modular design of the driving rollreduces the number of required individual parts for the implementationof the most diverse types of drives, so that the manufacturing andwarehousing costs for the driving rolls can be reduced considerable.

In one of the first potential designs according to the invention thedriving roll presents the coupling device an opening and a drivingmember inserted into the opening in the longitudinal direction of theroller, which extends in the longitudinal direction over the free end ofthe roller base and in at least two insertion positions, in which thedriving rolls are inserted so far that they can be fastened to it. Thefact that the driving roll is inserted at different lengths and can befastened in these different insertion positions, makes it possible thatthis driving member can be used for the arrangement of two chain wheelsor toothed wheels as well as for the arrangement of only one toothedwheel or chain wheel, since the extent of the driving member in thelongitudinal direction of the roll can be modified to the pertinenttoothed or chain wheel. Here, at least two different defined insertionpositions are available. However, more than two predefined insertionpositions can be provided or the driving member can be designed in sucha manner that it can be fastened in a position inserted at any optionallength in the driving roll. Thus different distances of the driving rollin the longitudinal direction of the roll can be reached over the freeend of the roller base. However, in contrast with the known drivingrolls no separate driving members are required. The driving member ismerely positioned differently on the driving roll and then fastened.This construction eliminates the necessity of providing differentdriving members for the different types of drives.

Only one driving member is required, which can be used for a multitudeof different types of drives. Depending on the desired type of drive, adifferent number of different drive wheels, such as toothed wheels orchain wheels, can be placed on the driving member. This reduction of thedifferent number of individual parts also allows a reduction of themanufacturing costs, since only one driving member at a correspondingtotal number must be manufactured. In addition, the warehousing costsare greatly reduced and the supply of replacement parts is considerablysimplified.

Advantageously the driving roll includes latching means for thefastening of the driving member at any of the at least two insertpositions. Such latching means simplify the mounting of the drivingmember on the driving roll, since the driving member must merely beinserted in the opening in the base of the roll of the driving roll andis latched there in the desired position with the driving roll. Thus, noadditional mounting parts or mounting steps for the fastening of thedriving member to the driving roll are required. The latching means arepreferably designed in the form of ring shaped latching protrusions onthe inner side of the opening in the roll base and in the form ofcorresponding ring shaped grooves on the outside of the driving member.Several different latching grooves are arranged interspaced from eachother on the surface of the driving member in order to ensure thelatching of the driving member in the various desired insertionpositions.

Preferably, the driving roll presents at the opening of the roll base awedge shaped profile or a toothed profile, which meshes into thecorresponding wedge profile or tooth profile of the driving member. Sucha profile allows a reliable transfer of forces from the driving memberto the driving roll. It is especially advantageously when the profileextends on the driving member in the longitudinal direction of the rollover the entire length of the driving member, so that for any insertionposition the meshing of the wedge or tooth profile of the driving rollinto the profile on the driving member is possible. This ensures asecure transfer of force independent of the insertion position.

Preferably the tooth profile on the driving member is designedcorresponding to the profile of a cogged belt. Such a design makes theadditional inclusion of a toothed wheel for the accommodation of acogged belt on the driving member superfluous, the cogged belt can meshdirectly with the profile arranged on the driving member. This signifiesthat the tooth profile on the driving member is used for the transfer offorce from the cogged belt to the driving member as well as for thetransfer of force from the driving member to the driving roll. Thus anadditional reduction of components is achieved. In the event of a drivefrom roll to roll, i.e., two cogged belts mesh with each driving member,it is advantageous to place in the free area of the part extending awayfrom the roller base a spacer, which divides the free area in two areas,on each of which a cogged belt runs. In this manner it can be ensuredthat despite the continuous toothed profile, the two cogged belts do nottouch.

Preferably at least one drive wheel, especially a chain wheel, can beplaced on the driving member. The described driving member can thereforealso be used for other types of drives, for example for the propulsionof a steel roller chain. A corresponding drive or chain wheel is merelyplaced on the driving member. Accordingly, no special driving member isrequired, which implies that the number of different individual partscan be reduced.

The at least single drive wheel engages preferably into the toothprofile on the outside of the driving member. This ensures a reliabletransfer of force also between the drive wheel and the driving memberand therefore the driving roll. The driving member, which presents atooth profile adapted to a cogged belt, can thus be adapted to otherdriving elements through the simple placement of a drive wheel or chainwheel. Again, no special driving member is required, i.e. minimum ofdifferent individual parts can be attained with numerous types of driveswhich means that the manufacturing and warehouse costs are reduced.

Preferably, a roller axis is placed through the driving member in thelongitudinal direction of the roll, on which the driving member ispositioned in a pivoting manner with at least one bearing. In thismanner the radial forces induced by the driving member, such as a steelroller chain or a cogged belt, can be absorbed directly at the locationof the introduction of the force. Preferably, the driving member isdesigned in its interior in such a manner that several bearing positionsare provided, in which a wide variety of bearings can be used dependingon the employment purpose. Plain bearings made of a synthetic materialcan be used for low loads, while at high loads roller bearings arepreferably used. The type of roller bearing depends on the selecteddriving means and the employment location of the driving roll. Ideally,the bearing is designed in such a manner that the driving roll does notrequire additional bearings at this end on the side of the drive. Aconventional roller base with additional bearings is preferably providedat the other end of the driving roll.

As an alternative to the first design, the coupling device can bedesigned as a first holding device which contains at least one drivewheel, whereby the drive which comprises at a first face a couplingdevice, which meshes with the first holding device at the roller base,and which possesses at the opposite second face a second holding devicefor the connection of additional drive wheels or a coupling device.Different drive wheels can be installed very easily on the mountingdevice by means of their coupling devices. Thus, depending on thedesired drive, different drive wheels can be installed on an unchanged,i.e. universally usable roller body and roller base. In addition, anygiven additional drive wheel can be installed without problems on adrive wheel already installed in the roller base, since the first drivewheel on the front side away from the roller body, possesses a secondmounting device, on which an additional drive wheel can be installed bymeans of a here provided coupling device included or terminating device.This results in a highly flexible, modular construction of the driveunit for the driving roll. Drive wheels of different sizes and designeddifferently in terms of their circumference can be employed which can beinstalled, depending on the requirements, in different numbers on anunchanged driving roll or roller body. For example, the drive wheels mayhave different diameters, or they can be designed as chain wheels orcogged wheels.

Preferably, the second holding device on the drive wheel is identical inits design to the first holding device on the roller base. This allowsan even more flexible use of the drive wheels, since one and the samedrive wheel can be connected directly with the roller base or can alsobe installed as a second drive wheel at a first drive wheel which isconnected with the roller base. This allows a considerable reduction ofthe multitude of parts, since no differently designed drive wheels arerequired for use as the first or the second drive wheel.

An additional preference is that the driving roll includes twoidentically designed drive wheels, whereby the first drive wheel isconnected with its connection device to the first mounting device in theroller base and the second drive wheel is connected with its connectiondevice to the second holding device on the first drive wheel. Thisarrangement is preferred, when the drive is achieved from roller toroller, i.e. one chain or one belt connects two rolls with each other.The identical design of the drive wheels offers a high variability forthe adaptation of the drive to the different usage purpose whilerequiring a limited number of different components.

It is advantageous that the first mounting device is shaped in the formof an opening in the roller base, in which the drive wheel can engagewith its connection device shaped in the form of a protrusion. With thisdesign the different drive wheels are simply inserted in the roller baseor another drive wheel, which results in an easy mounting.Advantageously, the opening contains a profile into which thecorresponding profile on the protrusion engages, so that a solidconnection is achieved between the drive wheels or a drive wheel and theroller base, which permits a reliable transfer of force from the drivewheels to the roller base and therefore the roller body. However, theopenings and protrusions can also be designed in such a manner that anon-positive connection between the drive wheels and the roller body isachieved.

The mounting and connection devices preferably include latching means,especially in the form of latching grooves and the correspondinglatching protrusions. This allows that when the drive wheels areinserted in each other or in the roller based, they are locked orsnapped there, which results in a firm connection between the individualcomponents, so that an unintentional separation can be prevented. Noadditional mounting processes, such as for example bolting, are requiredfor connection the drive wheels with each other or with the roller base.

Preferably at least one drive wheel is a chain wheel. Such a drive wheelallows that a chain drive or a conveyor chain drive is used to drive therolls, which permits an extremely reliable transfer of force. Dependingon the desired gear ratio, the employed chain wheels can be designedwith different diameters or number of teeth, so that an extremelyflexible adaptation of the drive to the individual requirements of theroller trajectory or conveyor belt is possible.

In addition, the drive wheel preferably possesses on its circumference atoothed design for engaging a cogged belt. Thus it is very easy to drivean unchanged, i.e. universal driving roll, if desired, also by a coggedbelt, whereby merely another drive wheel with the corresponding toothingmust be installed on the roller base. Again, depending on the desiredtransfer ratio the drive wheels may have different diameters and numbersof teeth. If a drive from roll to roll is preferred, the preferablyidentical toothed wheels can again be placed behind each other on theroller base.

It is preferred that at least one drive wheel is placed on the axiscarrying the driving roll. In this manner the radial forces applied bythe driving means, such as for example a chain or a cogged belt can betransferred to the roller axis without being induced into the drivingroll and without affecting action.

It is purposeful to provide on at least one drive wheel a seat for theholding of a bearing. For example, a corresponding bearing, such as aroller bearing, can be incorporated directly on the drive wheel, so thatlarger occurring forces, especially radial forces, can also betransferred in a reliable manner onto the roller axis.

Preferably, at least one drive wheel and/or the terminating devicepossesses a plain bearing surface which is in sliding contact with theaxis. This design is extremely cost effective since no additionalbearing elements need to be employed. For example, especially when thedrive wheel and the terminating device are made of synthetic material,these can slide directly on the roller axis. This design is especiallyfavorable for driving means which transfer only limited radial forces tothe drive wheel, as is, for example, the case with a tangential drive ofthe drive wheels by means of cogged belts or chains.

The following contains a description of the invention based on theattached drawings.

The following is shown:

FIG. 1: A cutaway view of the driving roll according to the inventionwith the use of a drive by means of steel roller chain from roll toroll,

FIG. 2: the roller base on the side of the drive

FIG. 3: the drive member,

FIG. 4: a cutaway view of the end of the driving roll on the drive sideusing a tangential cogged belt drive,

FIG. 5: a cutaway view of the end of the driving roll on the drivingside when using a cogged belt drive from roll to roll,

FIG. 6: a cutaway view of the end of the driving roll on the drivingside when using a tangential drive by means of a steel roller chain,

FIG. 7: a chain wheel,

FIG. 8: a cutaway view of a second design of the end of the driving rollon the driving side using a drive by means of a steel roller chain fromroll to roll,

FIG. 9: a cutaway view of a second design of the end of the driving rollon the driving side using a drive by means of a toothed belt, and

FIG. 10: a cutaway view of a second design of the end of the drivingroll on the driving side using a tangential drive by means of a steelroller chain.

FIG. 11: a cutaway view of a roller base with an installed chain wheel,

FIG. 12: a cutaway view of a roller base with two installed chainwheels,

FIG. 13: a cutaway view of a roller base with an installed chain wheelwith an inserted roller bearing,

FIG. 14: a cutaway view of a roller base with two installed chain wheelsand one inserted roller bearing,

FIG. 15: a cutaway view of a roller base with two installed toothedwheels for a drive using a cogged belt, and

FIG. 16: a cutaway view of a roller base with two installed toothedwheels and an inserted roller bearing.

The initial fundamental design form of the present invention isdescribed with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10.

FIG. 1 depicts a cutaway view of a driving roll driven by a steel rollerchain from roll to roll. Driving roll 2 consists of an essentiallycylindrical roller body 4, whose two longitudinal ends are closed byroller bases 6, 8. Roller body 4 and roller bases 6, 8 can be made ofmetal or synthetic material, depending on their usage purpose. Rollerbase 6 essentially corresponds to a conventional roller base andincludes a bearing 10, with which roller base 6 and roller body 4 areinstalled in a pivoting manner on a roller axis 12. End 14 of rollerbody 4 on the drive side includes roller base 8, which possesses acontinuous opening 16. Opening 16 has an essentially cylindrical basicshape and extends parallel to roller axis 12 in the longitudinaldirection of the roller. Opening 16 possesses on its inner side atoothing 18, in which an external toothing or a tooth profile 20 of adriving member 22 meshes. Driving member 22 also has an essentiallycylindrical fundamental shape and is inserted in the longitudinaldirection of the roller in roller base 8. The driving member isadvantageously made of a synthetic material, but may be made of metal incase of higher stresses. At its free longitudinal end, turned away fromroller base 8, driving member 22 includes an edge or a protrusion 24,which extends radially outward over tooth profile 20. The inner surfaceof opening 16 contains ring-shaped latch protrusions 26, which canengage in the corresponding ring-shaped latch grooves 28 on the outersurface of driving member 22. The latch grooves 28 extend along theouter circumference of driving member 22. Due to the toothed innersurface of opening 16 and the toothed external surface of driving member22, latch protrusions 26 and latch grooves 28 do not extendcontinuously, but preferably only in the area of the crests of the teethor the feet of the teeth. In the design form described here, latchprotrusions 26 are formed at the tooth crests of toothing 18 of rollerbase 8 and the latch grooves 28 are formed in the area between theindividual teeth of tooth profile 20 on the circumference of drivingmember 22 (See FIG. 4). Two latch protrusions 26 and two latch grooves28 are provided, which are always interspaced at the same distance inthe longitudinal direction of the roll. In the example depicted here,only the outer end 14, i.e. the end turned toward driving roll 2, oflatch protrusion 26 meshed with the outer latch groove 28. In otherimplementation examples, both latch protrusions 26 may mesh with the twolatch grooves 28, when driving member 22 is inserted further intoopening 16.

Two chain wheels 30 are arranged on the surface of driving member 22,which are fixed in axial direction between protrusion 24 and roller base8. Chain wheels 30 present on the inside an opening with an innertoothing 32 which is shaped fitting to the tooth profile 20 on drivingmember 22. During mounting, chain wheels 30 are pushed on driving member22 on its side without edge or protrusion 24 and next driving member 22is inserted in opening 16 of roller base 8, where latch protrusions 26mesh with latch grooves 28. Thus, mounting can be performed extremelyfast and simple.

The interior of driving member 22 contains two ball bearings 34 in thearea of the two longitudinal ends of driving member 22. Ball bearings 34are retained between offsets 36 at the inner contour of driving member22 and latch protrusions 38. Thus, during mounting ball bearings 34 caneasily be inserted into the interior of driving member 22, where theylatch between latch protrusions 38 and offsets 36. Ball bearings 34 restwith their inner bearing ring on roller axis 12. The free end of drivingmember 22, i.e. the end turned away from roller body 4, is closed by asealing element 40, which is locked by a protrusion 41 to the drivingmember 22, which meshes in a corresponding groove on sealing element 40.Sealing element 40 presents in its center a through-hole 42, throughwhich roller axis 12 passes, whereby the lateral walls the through-hole42 have a closing contact with the roller axis.

FIG. 2 represents detailed views of roller base 8. Roller base 8essentially has a pipe shaped form, whereby on one longitudinal endprotrusions 44 are formed, which can engage in correspondingindentations of roller body 4, so that a reliable transfer of force canbe assured by a sealed design. On its interior, roller base 8 presentsan opening 16, which contains on its circumference a toothing 18. Here,the teeth of toothing 18 possess an arc-shape cross-section, but mayalso present other shapes, for example, trapezoid or rectangular shapes.In addition latch protrusions 26 are arranged interspaced on the innersurface of opening 16 in the longitudinal direction of the roll. Latchprotrusions 26 extend in the direction of the circumference along theinner surface of opening 16. They are not continuous but rather areinterrupted in the area of the interstices of the teeth of toothing 18(not depicted here). Latch protrusions 26 essentially present asemi-circular cross-section, which permits easy latching with thecorresponding latch grooves 28. Nevertheless, latch protrusions 26 arenot limited to a semi-circular cross-section, but rather latchprotrusions 26 may also present a sphenoid cross-section. Despite itscomplex shape, such a roller base can be easily manufactured fromsynthetic material, for example using injection molding.

FIG. 3 shows driving member 22 in detail. Driving member 22 possesses anessentially cylindrical shape. Tooth profile 20 extends in thelongitudinal direction over virtually the entire length of drivingmember 22. Tooth profile 20 is formed here by semi-circular grooves inthe surface of driving member 22. However, the tooth profile may alsopresent other shapes, for example a trapezoid or rectangularcross-section. Two latch grooves 28 extend along the outer circumferenceof the driving member. In the axial, i.e. the longitudinal direction ofthe roller they are interspaced at the same distance as the two latchprotrusions 26 in opening 16 of roller base 8, so that when drivingmember 22 is inserted correspondingly into roller base 8, both latchprotrusions 26 can latch simultaneously with a corresponding latchgroove 28. Latch grooves 28 do not extend continuously along the outercontour of tooth profile 20, but are only formed in the toothinterstices at the foot circle of tooth profile 20. A protrusion 24extending radially outward is formed at one longitudinal end of drivingmember 22. In its interior, driving member 22 presents a hole 44,through which roller axis 12 can extend. Through-hole 44 is shaped suchthat it is gradually expanded towards the ends of driving member 22.This creates the offsets 36 turned toward the openings, which serve forthe support of the employed bearings 34. Latch protrusions 38 are spacedat a distance from these offsets 36 toward the open ends of drivingmember 22, so that inserted bearings 34 can be fixed between offsets 36and latch protrusions 38. The middle section of driving member 33, whichforms the offsets 36, is not massively designed but rather presentscavities 46. These cavities 46 in driving member 22 permit a saving ofmaterial and thus also a reduction in weight. Driving member 22 ispreferably manufactured from synthetic material, whereby notwithstandingthe complex shape an economical production is possible, for exampleusing injection molding. Driving member 22 can also be made of metal.

FIG. 4 depicts a cutaway view of the driving side end of the drivingroll according to the invention for the use of a drive in the form of acontinuous, tangentially engaging cogged belt. Driving member 22 isidentical to driving member 22 depicted in FIG. 1, whereby here too thedriving member 22 latches with its other latch groove 28 in the outerlatch protrusion 26 of roller base 8. Driving member 22 depicted heredoes not include additional drive wheels so that tooth profile 20 isexposed and can engage in a driving cogged belt. Protrusion 24 on thefree end of driving member 22 acts as the stop or guiding edge for thecogged belt, so that it cannot slide down from driving member 22. On theother side of driving member 22, a potential lateral movement of thecogged belt is restricted by roller base 8. This ensures a reliablepassage of the cogged belt on tooth profile 20 of driving member 22.Contrary to the implementation example depicted in FIG. 1, theimplementation example depicted here presents only one ball bearing 34,which is arranged on the end of driving member 22 turned toward rollerbase 8. Ball bearing 34 is placed in the area of driving member 22,which is inserted in opening 16 of roller base 8, so that ball bearing34 is positioned within roller body 4, not depicted here. Thus a radialload of the roller body caused by conveyed objects can be assumeddirectly by roller axis 12. Contrary to the example depicted in FIG. 1,the other free end of driving member 22 includes a bushing 48. Bushing48 is preferably manufactured from a highly smooth synthetic materialand essentially presents a ring-shaped form. Bushing 48 is inserted intothe opening of the free end of driving member 22, whereby it presentslatching grooves 49 on its outer circumference, which latch into latchprotrusions 38 and 41 as described with the aid of FIG. 1. Thus latchprotrusions 38 and 41 are used not only for the retention of a ballbearing or a sealing element, but also fix bushing 48. In the middle,the bushing presents an opening, with the lateral walls of which bushing48 slides on roller axis 12. In the implementation example shown here, asimple synthetic material bushing 48 can be used on the free end, sinceno great radial forces are exerted on driving member 22 in the presenceof a tangential drive by means of a cogged belt. However, as has beendescribed, the other free end of driving member 22 must include a loadbearing, here in the form of a ball bearing 34, since this bearing mustaccept the radial forces acting on roller body 4. An additional sealingelement at the free end of driving member 22 is not required, sincebushing 48 itself closes the opening between roller axis 12 and theinner surface of driving member 22.

FIG. 5 depicts a cutaway view of an end of the driving roll according tothe invention on the drive side for use with a cogged belt drive fromroll to roll. Driving member 22 is here identical to the driving membersdescribed for the earlier implementation examples and is fastened toroller base 8 in the same position and manner as that described in FIG.1 and FIG. 4. The arrangement of ball bearing 34 and sealing element 40corresponds to the arrangement described earlier with the help of FIG.1. As was the case for the example depicted in FIG. 4, no additionaldrive wheels are placed on driving member 22, so that tooth profile 20is exposed. In contrast with FIG. 4, in this implementation examplespacer 50 has been placed in the middle of the exposed area of toothprofile 20, which divides the free area of tooth profile 20 into twosections. A cogged belt can run in each of the two sections, whereby onecogged belt connects driving roll 2 with the preceding driving roll andthe second cogged belt connects driving roll 2 with the next drivingroll.

Spacer 50 prevents contact between the two cogged belts, which coulddamage the cogged belts and cause uneven running. At both ends ofdriving member 22 the two sections of tooth profile 20, which serve astoothed wheels for the cogged belt, are delimited by protrusion 24 androller base 8. On its inside spacer 50 presents a latch protrusion 51which latches into the free latch groove 28, which is not meshed with alatch protrusion 26 of opening 16 of roller base 8, and in this mannerfixes spacer 50 on tooth profile 20 of driving member 22. Latchprotrusion 51 has a shape which corresponds to the shape of latchprotrusion 26. Spacer 50 presents on its inside a inner tooth profilecorresponding to tooth profile 20, so that spacer 50 can be inserted ontooth profile 20 of driving member 22. Latch protrusion 51, similar tolatch protrusion 26, does not extend continuously though the inner toothprofile, but is only formed in the area of the teeth crests, i.e. latchprotrusion 51 is interrupted in the area of the teeth interstices. Dueto the fact that latch protrusion 51 has a shape corresponding to latchprotrusion 26, spacer 50 can be latched in latch groove 28, which, whendriving member 22 is further inserted into roller base 8, meshes withlatch protrusion 26 which is turned to the free end of roller base 8.Thus spacer 50 can easily be fixed in an axial direction on toothprofile 20, without this requiring additional fastening elements ondriving member 22. The same driving member 22 can therefore also be usedfor the application example.

In the application example depicted in FIG. 5, a ball bearing 34 is alsolocated on the free end of driving member 22 turned away from drivingmember 22, as was described in FIG. 1. In this application example aball bearing 34 is included in order to absorb the radial forcesgenerated by the initial tension of the cogged belt. In the case of adrive from roll to roll the cogged belts contact driving member 22 incontrast to a tangential cogged belt drive, in which the cogged beltmerely runs tangentially along driving member 22. This contact has asresult that the radial forces are transferred to driving member 22,which, depending on the initial tension, may be so great, that theycannot be reliably transferred by a simple synthetic material plainbearing 48. In the case of the placement of a ball bearing 34 on thefree end of driving member 22, a sealing element 40 is again installedsimilar to the application example depicted in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 shows a cutaway view of the drive side end of driving roll 2according to the invention, for the case of a tangential chain drive. Inthe arrangement depicted here, driving member 22, which is identical tothe driving members depicted in the previous Figures, is inserted so farinto opening 16 of roller base 8, that both latch grooves 28 are meshedwith the two latch protrusions 26. Due to the fact that driving member22 is further inserted in roller base 8 in the longitudinal direction ofthe roller, the free area of driving member 22, which extends away fromroller base 8 or protrudes from opening 16, is reduced. This results inthe free area of tooth profile 20 being reduced. In the applicationexample depicted here, a chain wheel 30, which is identical to the chainwheels 30 depicted in FIG. 1, is inserted on tooth profile 20 of drivingmember 22 before the placement of driving member 22 on roller base 8.Chain wheel 30 meshes with the steel roller chain 31, placedtangentially along chain wheel 30, in order to drive driving roll 2.Chain wheel 30 possesses such a width or expansion in the longitudinaldirection of the rollers, that it is fixed exactly between protrusion 24of driving member 22 and roller base 8, i.e. the facing side of rollerbase 8. The arrangement of ball bearing 34 and sealing element 40corresponds to the arrangement depicted in FIG. 1. Due to the fact thathere driving member 22 is further inserted in roller base 8, the outerball bearing 34, turned away from the roller body, when compared withthe arrangement depicted in FIG. 1, is located closer to the end ofroller body 4 and roller base 8. Thus both ball bearings 34 are locatedin the vicinity of roller base 8, i.e. in the end area of roller body 4,which is not depicted here. This arrangement of the ball is especiallyrigid and allows a favorable transfer of the radial forces acting on theroller body onto roller axis 12.

FIG. 7 depicts a chain wheel 30, as used in the arrangements shown inFIG. 1 and FIG. 6. On its outer circumference, chain wheel 30 presentsteeth 52, which can engage in the corresponding indentations of adriving chain. In the middle, chain wheel 30 has a through-hole 54,whose circumferential planes have a tooth profile 56, which is shaped insuch a manner that it can mesh with tooth profile 20 on driving member22. A chain wheel 30 with such a design can be inserted on drivingmember 22, whose tooth profile has been adapted for use with a coggedbelt, so that this same driving member 22 can be used with a cogged beltas well as with a driving chain. When used with a drive by means ofdriving chains from roll to roll, where two driving chains mesh on eachdriving roll, two of the described chain wheels 30 are inserted on toothprofile 20 of driving member 22, which compared to the use of a singlechain wheel is less far inserted into opening 16 of roller base 8.

FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 depict another implementation example of drivingmember 58 according to the invention for application instances, in whichin the presence of unchanged dimensions of the rolls, smaller drivingtooth or chain wheels are used. Driving member 58 can also in thisembodiment form be used in combination with different driving means.FIG. 8 depicts the case of a drive from roll to roll using a rollerchain 62 in combination with smaller chain wheels 60. The roller bodies4 and roller base 8 (not shown in FIGS. 8, 9 and 10) are unchanged incomparison with the previously described implementation examples. Adifferent driving member 58 is used to accept the smaller chain wheels60. Driving member 58 presents at its circumference in the area of end64 turned toward roller base 8 a tooth profile 66. As far as its form isconcerned this tooth profile 66 corresponds to the previously describedtooth profiles 20 of the first embodiment form of driving member 22.Therefore, driving member 58 adapted to the employment of smaller chainwheels 60 can be used with the same driving roll or the same roller base8 as those described for the previous implementation examples. Toothprofile 66 meshes in the toothing 18 in opening 16 of roller base 8. Alatch groove is formed in the area of tooth profile 66, whichcorresponds in its shape to latch grooves 28 described in the preceding.This latch groove can mesh with the latch protrusions 26 in opening 16of roller base 8. Opening 16 includes two latch protrusions 26interspaced in the longitudinal direction of the roller. Depending onthe extent to which driving member 58 is inserted into roller base 8,latch groove 68 will mesh with the first or the second latch protrusion26. In the arrangement depicted in FIG. 8, latch groove 68 meshes withthe first latch protrusion 16, i.e. the free of the latch protrusionturned toward roller base 8. Driving member 58 is not inserted very faron roller base 8 and presents a large free area away from roller base 8.Area 70 adjacent to the area with tooth profile 66 intended for theinstallation of the driving means has a smaller diameter than the areawith tooth profile 66. The smaller diameter of area 70 is adapted to thediameter of the driving means to be employed. On its circumference, area70 presents another tooth profile 72, which extends, starting from thearea with tooth profile 66, over virtually the entire length of drivingmember 58. Tooth profile 72 is shaped in such a manner that it can meshwith a corresponding cogged belt. In the case of such an implementationexample, driving member 58 is used without additional driving means, asdepicted in FIG. 9. Here, a cogged belt can mesh with tooth profile 72in area 70. The cogged belt is merely guided tangentially along toothprofile 72 or it contacts in a U-shape, depending on whether atangential drive is used or a drive from roll to roll.

In the implementation example depicted in FIG. 8, two chain wheels 60are inserted on tooth profile 72. These chain wheels correspond in theirdesign essentially to the chain wheels depicted in FIG. 1. Chain wheels60 merely present a smaller diameter. Chain wheels 60 have athrough-hole in which the inner toothing is located, which meshes withtoothing 72. This ensures a reliable transfer of force from chain wheels60 to driving member 58. Area 70 with tooth profile 72 additionallycontains two latch grooves 74, which extend along the circumference ofdriving member 58 and are interspaced in the longitudinal direction ofthe roll. These latch grooves 74 are designed such that they can meshwith the corresponding latch protrusions 76 on chain wheels 60, in orderto fix chain wheels 60 in an axial direction on tooth profile 72. Incontrast to driving member 22, driving member 58 presents no protrusion24 on its free end, so that chain wheels 60 can be inserted from thisside on tooth profile 72. After the insertion of chain wheels 60, thefree end of driving member 58 is closed with a terminating cap 78.Terminating cap 78 includes a middle section 80, which extends from thefree end to driving member 58. An offset 84 has been formed inthrough-hole 82 of driving member 58, which serves as a stop for theinserted middle part of terminating cap 78. Also, terminating cap 78latch with a latch protrusion 86 extending along the circumference ofmiddle section 80 in a corresponding latch groove 88 in through-hole 82of driving member 58. This secures terminating cap 78 to driving member58. Middle section 80 of terminating cap 78 has a through-hole, whosecircumferential surfaces are shaped as sliding surfaces that slide onroller axis 12. Thus terminating cap 78 acts simultaneously as a plainbearing. However, terminating cap 78 can also be designed such thatrather than a plain bearing an additional roller bearing and/or a shaftseal can be installed. Starting from middle section 80, terminating cap78 presents a protrusion 92 that extends radially outward. Protrusion 92extends on the free end radially over the outer circumference of toothprofile 72 and therefore also acts as an axial lock for the insertedchain wheels 60. Chain wheels 60 have such a width that they fit exactlybetween the area with tooth profile 66 and protrusion 92 of terminatingcap 78.

FIG. 9 shows driving member 58 for use with a cogged belt. Theimplementation example depicted here essentially corresponds to theimplementation example presented in FIG. 8. The implementation exampledepicted in FIG. 9 does not include the two chain wheels 60, since thecogged belt will run directly on tooth profile 72. Such a cogged belt isguides in an axial direction between protrusion 92 of terminating cap 78and offset 94, formed at the transition between tooth profile 66 andtooth profile 72.

FIG. 10 shows the implementation example of driving member 58 for atangential drive using a roller chain 62. Only one chain wheel 60 isneeded on each driving roller for such a drive. Thus driving member 58is deeper inserted in roller base 8, so that the free length of drivingmember 58, which extends from roller base 8, is reduced. In this deeperinserted state of driving member 58, latch groove 68 meshes with latchprotrusion 26 that is located deeper inside roller base 8. The installedchain wheel 60 corresponds to the chain wheels depicted in FIG. 8. Thefree area of driving member 58, which extends away from roller base 8,has such a length that chain wheel 60 fits exactly between protrusion 92of terminating cap 78 and the outer edge of roller base 8. Offset 94cannot act as a supporting surface for chain wheel 60, so that chainwheel 60 is here merely retained in axial direction in latch groove 74at the circumference of driving member 58, by protrusion 92 and/orroller base 8.

In FIGS. 8, 9 and 10 the arrangement of roller bearing 96 in the end ofdriving member 58 turned toward roller base 8 essentially corresponds tothe arrangement of the corresponding roller bearing in FIGS. 4 to 6.

In all cutaway views of roller base 8 of driving member 22 and chainwheel 30, toothing 18, tooth profile 20 and tooth profile 56 arerepresented in a simplified form. Notwithstanding the fact that only twoedges each of toothing 18 or toothing profile 20, 56 are depicted in thecutaway section, toothing 1 or tooth profile 20, 56 is formed along theentire circumference.

The following contains a description of two fundamental examples of theimplementation according to the invention as depicted in FIGS. 11 to 16.

FIGS. 11 to 16 only depict the roller base of a driving roll accordingto the invention with installed drive wheels, since the remaining designof the driving roll, especially the design of the roller bodycorresponds to that described in FIGS. 1 to 10.

FIG. 11 shows a cutaway view of a roller base 102 of a driving rollaccording to the invention with an installed chain wheel 104. Rollerbase 102 is for example made of a circularly shaped synthetic material,which on its circumference is connected to a roller body not depictedhere. In its interior, roller base 102 includes an opening 106 in whicha roller bearing 108 is installed, which carries the driving roll on aroller axis. In addition, roller bearing 108 can be protected in theconventional manner, for example by a fastening ring, from axialdisplacement on roller axis 110, so that the driving roll is fixed in anaxial direction on the roller axis 110 (not depicted here). Opening 106extends up to the facing side 112 of roller base 102. The externalcircumference of opening 106, which preferably has an essentiallycircular shape, has a profile or a toothing 114, which meshes with acorrespondingly shaped profile or toothing 116 on chain wheel 104.Toothing 116 is formed on a protrusion 118, which extends starting froma facing side of chain wheel 104. Together with protrusion 118, chainwheel 104 has been inserted in opening 106 at roller base 102, so thattoothing 114 and 116 can engage each other. In addition, on thecircumference of opening 106 on its end turned to the facing side 112 ofroller base 102, a latch protrusion 120 has been formed. Thecircumference of protrusion 118 of chain wheel 104 presents acorresponding latch groove 122, which meshes with ring-shaped latchprotrusion 120, when chain wheel 104 is inserted in opening 106 inroller base 102. This ensures a solid connection between chain wheel 104and roller base 102, which prevents that chain wheel 104 can slide fromopening 106. Furthermore, toothings 114 and 116 form such a solidconnection between chain wheel 104 and roller base 102, that a reliabletransfer of force from chain wheel 104 to roller base 102 is assured andtherefore also onto a roller body. On its end turned away from rollerbase 102 or the facing side turned away from roller base 102, chainwheel 104 is provided with an opening 124. The shape of opening 124essentially corresponds to that of opening 106 in roller base 102. Thismeans specifically that it has the same dimensions. In addition, atoothing 126 has been provided in the circumference of opening 124,whose dimensions correspond to the dimensions of toothing 114 in rollerbase 102. The circumference of opening 124 also contains a latchprotrusion 128 which corresponds to latch protrusion 120 in roller base102, which extends ring-shaped along the circumference of opening 124 inthe area of the end of chain wheel 104 turned away from roller base 102.In the implementation example depicted in FIG. 11, opening 124 includesa terminating device in the form of a end ring 130, which closes opening124 and simultaneously acts as an additional bearing for chain wheel104. Terminating ring 130 includes in its center an opening 132, whosediameter is adapted to the outer diameter of roller axis 110. The innercircumference of opening 132 is designed as a sliding surface, whichtogether with the surface of roller axis 110 forms a plain bearing forchain wheel 104. In addition, chain wheel 104 also includes an opening134 in the center of protrusion 118, whose diameter is also adapted tothe outer diameter of roller axis 110 and whose circumference is alsodesigned as a sliding surface so that it can rotate freely on rolleraxis 110. Thus, opening 134 also acts as a plain bearing with whichchain wheel 104 is carried on roller axis 110, so that no undesiredlateral forces are transferred from chain wheel 104 to roller base 102and thus in the roller body. Both roller base 102 as well as chain wheel104 and terminating ring 130 can be produced cost-effectively fromsynthetic material, for example by means of injection molding, but canalso be made of metal in the event that higher forces occur.

The design of roller base 102 and terminating ring 130 depicted herealso permit that the roller base is used on a roller end on which nodrive wheels are installed. In this case, terminating ring 130 isinserted directly into opening 106 in roller base 102, which is possiblebecause of the identical shape of opening 106 and 124. Thus, similar tothe earlier described method, a roller bearing 108 can be installed inroller base 102, which is then fixed by terminating ring 130. Thus, theroller base 102 as well as terminating ring 130 can be used universally,which reduces the required number of individual parts.

FIG. 12 presents a cutaway view through a roller base 102 with installedchain wheels 104, 136 according to the invention. Roller base 102 withthe first installed chain wheel 104 corresponds to the design describedwith the help of FIG. 11. Rather than a terminating ring 130, theimplementation example shown in FIG. 12 depicts a second chain wheel 136installed in opening 124 of the first chain wheel 104. Chain wheel 136is designed identically to chain wheel 104. Since opening 124, asexplained with the help of FIG. 11, is designed identically to opening106 in roller base 102, chain wheel 136 can be inserted with itsprotrusion 138 in opening 124 of the first chain wheel 104. Chain wheel136 meshes with a corresponding toothing 140 and a latch groove 142 intoothing 126 or latch protrusion 128 in opening 124 of chain wheel 104.If two chain wheels 104, 136 are required, these can be simply insertedin sequence and then be inserted into roller base 102, without thisrequiring additional mounting or adaptation steps. No other specialcomponents are required since both chain wheels 104, 136 are identical.In the implementation example depicted here, terminating ring 130 isinserted in opening 144 of the second chain wheel 136, which is designedidentical to opening 124. The bearing of chain wheels 104, 136essentially corresponds to a bearing using plain bearing, as explainedwith the help of FIG. 11. In addition to the sliding surfaces ofterminating ring 130 and chain wheel 104, there is another slidingsurface of chain wheel 136 at the opening of protrusion 138, whichcorrespond to opening 134 explained with the help of FIG. 11, since thechain wheels 104 and 136 have an identical design.

FIG. 13 depicts a cutaway view through another implementation example ofthe invention, which essentially corresponds to the implementationexample explained with the help of FIG. 11. Roller base 102, depicted inFIG. 13, as well as chain wheel 104, terminating ring 130, roller axis110 and roller bearing 108 correspond to the components explained withthe help of FIG. 11. Additionally, the implementation form depicted inFIG. 13 presents a second roller bearing 146 in the opening 124 of chainwheel 104. Ball bearing 146 allows chain wheel 104 to rotate on rolleraxis 110. In this manner, higher forces, especially radial forces fromchain wheel 104 can be transferred to roller axis 110, as is alsopossible with the plain bearing explained with the help of FIG. 11. Theplain bearings are also present in the implementation form depicted inFIG. 13, since chain wheel 104 and terminating ring 130 are identical tothe parts shown in FIG. 11. In addition terminating ring 130 is used tofix ball bearing 146 axially in opening 124. Ball bearing 146 isretained between an offset 148 established in opening 124 andterminating ring 130. This design of chain wheel 104 provides an evenmore flexible use of identical components, since an additional rollerbearing or ball bearing 146 can simply be installed on the chain wheel104 without additional changes to the components.

FIG. 14 shows the implementation form explained on the basis of FIG. 12,where an additional roller or ball bearing 150 is installed in opening144 of chain wheel 136. Considering that chain wheels 104 and 136, asexplained with the help of FIG. 12, are identical, the arrangement ofball bearing 150 in chain wheel 136 corresponds exactly to thearrangement of ball bearing 146 in chain wheel 104, as described withthe help of FIG. 13. Thus, even when two chain wheels 104, 136 are used,an additional roller bearing, here in the form of ball bearing 150, cansimply be installed without great effort or without requiring additionalcomponents, so that greater forces can reliably be transferred fromchain wheels 104, 136 to roller axis 110. The overall remaining designof the arrangement depicted in FIG. 14 corresponds to the implementationform described with the help of FIG. 12, specifically chain wheels 104,136 are identical components.

FIG. 15 shows an implementation example of the driving roll according tothe invention for use with a drive using a cogged belt. Similar to thepreceding figures, FIG. 15 merely depicts roller base 102 together withthe installed drive wheels. The roller body, which is connected toroller base 102, is not depicted. Roller base 102 as well as theinstalled ball bearing 108, which is used to retain the driving rolleron roller axis 110, are identical to the components described with thehelp of FIG. 11 to FIG. 14. Contrary to the earlier describedimplementation examples, FIG. 15 depicts two drive wheels on the rollerbase in the form of toothed wheels 152 and 154. Toothed wheels 152 and154 are identical in form and present on their outer circumferences atoothing, which can mesh with the corresponding cogged belt to drive thedriving roll. On their face side, toothed wheels 152, 154 each present aprotrusion 156 or 158, which correspond to the design of protrusions 118and 138, which have been explained with the help of FIGS. 11 and 12.Toothed wheel 152 with its protrusion 156 is installed in opening 106 inroller base 102, whereby protrusion 156 meshes with an appropriatetoothing in toothing 114 in opening 106, as was explained with the helpof FIG. 11. Protrusion 156 also presents a latch groove, which mesheswith the latch protrusion 120 in opening 106. Overall, the design oftoothed wheels 152 and 154 merely differs from chain wheels 104 and 136in terms of their outer circumference. The interior design, i.e.especially the construction of protrusions 156, 158 and openings 160,152 is identical to the interior design of protrusions 118, 138 andopening 124 and 144 of chain wheels 104 and 136, as depicted in FIGS. 11to 14. Thus the second toothed wheel 154 is simply inserted in opening160 of the first toothed wheel 152, which has been inserted in opening106 of roller base 102, where it meshes with a corresponding toothingand a corresponding latch protrusion. Additionally, a spacer 164 isplaced or clamped between the two toothed wheels 152, 154, whichseparates the running surfaces for the cogged belts on toothed wheels152 and 154, in order to avoid contact between the belts duringoperation. Terminating ring 130 is installed in opening 162 of toothedwheel 154, as was explained earlier with the help of the previousFigures. Terminating ring 130 presents a ring-shaped protrusion 166,which extends radially over the outer circumferential surface of toothedwheel 154 and acts as a stop ring for the cogged belt. Thus, two coggedbelts, which can run on toothed wheels 152 and 154, can be guidedbetween protrusion 166 and spacer 164 or spaces 164 and facing side 112of roller base 102. The bearing of toothed wheels 152 and 154 on ballbearing 108 corresponds to the plain bearing of chain wheels 104 and 136described with the help of FIG. 12, since the interior design of toothedwheels 152, 154 is identical to that of chain wheels 104, 136.

FIG. 16 presents a cutaway view through a variant of the implementationform described with the help of FIG. 15. Roller base 102 and ballbearing 108, the two toothed wheels 152, 154 as well as terminating ring130 correspond to the components depicted in FIG. 15. FIG. 16 inaddition presents a roller bearing, here in the form of a ball bearing168, installed in opening 162 of toothed wheel 154. The arrangement ofball bearing 168 is identical to the arrangement of ball bearing 150 inopening 144 of chain wheel 136, as depicted in FIG. 14. Again, ballbearing 168 is retained between a terminating ring 130 and a stop orshoulder 170 in opening 162. Ball bearing 168 provides for a highcarrying capacity of the bearing of toothed wheels 152, 154 on rolleraxis 110 compared to a plain bearing alone, as was described with thehelp of FIG. 12.

As shown by the examples described in FIGS. 11 to 16, in the case of thedriving roll according to the invention, which presents a modularconstruction, a multiple number of different driving types can beimplemented without this requiring at the same time a multiple number ofdifferent specially adapted components. For example, depending on theneeds, different toothed or chain wheels can be inserted on roller base102, and depending on the needs, additional toothed or chain wheels canbe added to a toothed chain wheel that has been installed on roller base102. Additionally, it is also easy to employ chain or toothed wheelswith different diameters, which can be easily combined.

REFERENCE LIST

2 Driving roll

4 Roller body

6,8 Roller base

10 Bearing

12 Roller axis

14 End on the drive side

16 Opening

18 Toothing

20 Tooth profile

22 Driving member

24 Protrusion

26 Latch protrusion

28 Latch groove

30 Chain wheels

32 Inner toothing

34 Ball bearing

36 Offsets

38 Latch protrusions

40 Sealing element

42 Through-hole

44 Protrusions

46 Cavities

48 Plain bearing

50 Spacer

51 Latch protrusion

52 Teeth

54 Through-hole

56 Tooth profile

58 Driving member

60 Chain wheels

62 Roller chain

64 End of the driving member turned toward the roller base

66 Tooth profile

68 Latch groove

70 Area for installation of the driving means

72 Tooth profile

74 Latch grooves

76 Latch protrusions

78 Terminating cap

80 Middle section

82 Through-hole

84 Offset

86 Latch protrusion

88 Latch groove

90 Through-hole

92 Protrusion

94 Offset

96 Roller bearing

102 Roller base

104 Chain wheel

106 Opening

108 Roller bearing

110 Roller axis

112 Facing side

114 Toothing

116 Toothing

118 Protrusion

120 Latch protrusion

122 Latch groove

124 Opening

126 Toothing

128 Latch protrusion

130 Terminating ring

132 Opening

134 Opening

136 Chain wheel

138 Protrusion

140 Toothing

142 Latch groove

144 Opening

146 Ball bearing

148 Shoulder

150 Ball bearing

152 Toothed wheel

154 Toothed wheel

156 Protrusion

158 Protrusion

160 Opening

162 Opening

164 Spacer

166 Protrusion

168 Ball bearing

170 Shoulder

What is claimed is:
 1. A drive assembly for a conveyor rollercomprising: a) a plurality of modular drive wheels; and b) a couplingdevice insertable into an end of said conveyor roller and securable atdifferent positions for mounting a variable number of the modular drivewheels to the conveyor roller.
 2. The drive assembly of claim 1 whereinsaid coupling device comprises a roller base fastened to one end of saidconveyor roller, the roller base having an opening that extends in thelongitudinal direction of the conveyor roller, and a driving memberinsertable into the opening in the roller base.
 3. The drive assemblyaccording to claim 2 wherein the driving member is insertable into theopening in at least two insertion positions in which the driving memberis inserted at different distances into the roller base.
 4. The driveassembly of claim 2 wherein said drive assembly further includeslatching means for securing the drive member to the roller base in anyone of at least two insertion positions.
 5. The drive assembly of claim2 wherein the opening of the roller base has a tooth profile whichengages with a corresponding tooth profile on the outer surface of thedriving member.
 6. The drive assembly of claim 5 in which the toothprofile on the outer surface of the driving member is shaped tocorrespond to the profile of a cog belt.
 7. The drive assembly of claim2 in which at least one drive wheel comprises a chain wheel.
 8. Thedrive assembly of claim 7 in which the chain wheel engages the toothprofile on the outer surface of the drive member.
 9. The drive assemblyof claim 2 in which the driving member is rotatably mounted on a rolleraxis extending in the longitudinal direction of the roller.
 10. A driveassembly for a conveyor roller comprising: a) one or more modular drivewheels; and b) coupling means for coupling a variable number of thedrive wheels to the conveyor roller, the coupling means being securableat a variety of longitudinal lengths extending outward from the conveyorroller to accommodate the one or more modular drive wheels.
 11. Thedrive assembly according to claim 10 wherein said coupling meanscomprises a roller base fixed to an end of said conveyor roller and aconnecting device on each drive wheel, the connecting device of a firstdrive wheel adapted to engage the roller base, and the connecting deviceof each subsequent drive wheel adapted to engage the preceding drivewheel.
 12. The drive assembly according to claim 11 wherein saidconnecting devices comprise a protrusion formed on a first face of saiddrive wheels.
 13. The drive assembly according to claim 12 wherein saidcoupling means further comprises a series of openings formed in saidroller base and a second face of said drive wheels said openings adaptedto receive a corresponding shaped protrusion of a drive wheel.
 14. Thedrive assembly according to claim 10 wherein said coupling meanscomprises a roller base fastened to one end of said conveyor roller anda driving member engageable with the roller base and the drive wheels.15. The drive assembly according to claim 13 further including latchingmeans to fasten the connection devices of the modular drive wheels withthe openings in the roller base and the drive wheels.
 16. The driveassembly according to claim 15 in which the latching means compriseslatch grooves and corresponding latch protrusions formed on the holdingdevices and connection devices and openings.
 17. The drive assemblyaccording to claim 10 in which at least one drive wheel is a chainwheel.
 18. The drive assembly according to claim 10 in which at leastone drive wheel includes a plurality of grooves disposed about itscircumference for engagement with a cogged belt.
 19. The drive assemblyaccording to claim 10 in which at least one drive wheel is installed ona roller access which carries the conveyor roller.
 20. The driveassembly according to claim 10 in which at least one drive wheelprovides a seat for holding a bearing.
 21. The drive assembly accordingto claim 10 in which at least one drive wheel includes a bearing surfacewhich has a sliding contact with a roller access.